Prince William And Duchess Kate Make The Best Mental Health Team

"Mental health is not a dirty word."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge yet again prove they're all-star mental health advocates.
Neil Mockford via Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge yet again prove they're all-star mental health advocates.

When it comes to mental health, the royals get it.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry slammed the stigma surrounding mental illness at a World Mental Health Day event at the London Eye on Monday. They also encouraged people experiencing behavioral health conditions to reach out for support.

“Mental health is not a dirty word ― we all have mental health like we do physical health, good or ill,” William said.

“But not seeking help at those times when it all seems too much, or we are depressed or anxious, can impact the rest of our lives,” he continued. “Put simply, the three of us want to make asking for help no longer a big deal.”

The prince’s emphasis on treatment is a necessary one: Nearly one in four people worldwide will be affected by a mental health issue at some point. Yet research shows the prejudicial attitudes toward mental illness often prevent those individuals from getting professional support.

Kate acknowledged how difficult it is to “see a way forward” when experiencing issues with emotional wellbeing, but hopes people know that help is available.

“William, Harry and I feel it is our duty to do what we can ... to shine a spotlight on emotional wellbeing and highlight the support that is out there to prevent or manage the pain at difficult times,” she said.

The royals have been longstanding supporters of mental health. They launched Heads Together earlier this year, an initiative that aims to bring more awareness to mental illness and those who experience it. The duke and duchess also have spoken out about the importance of prioritizing children’s emotional health.

It is often said that fathers can often find it hard to talk about their own feelings so there’s no wonder they struggle to speak to their son or daughter about the topic,” William wrote back in June. “But we don’t really have a choice. I really believe that a child’s mental health is just as important as his or her physical health.

Amen to that.

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